PREAH VIHEAR: THAIS EXPRESS STRONG APPRECIATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002259 SIPDIS PARIS PLEASE PASS TO USMISSION UNESCO E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2018 TAGS: PREL MOPS ASEC CASC UNESCO SCUL PBTS ETRD UNSC, TH, CB SUBJECT: PREAH VIHEAR: THAIS EXPRESS STRONG APPRECIATION FOR U.S. SUPPORT IN UNSC; SEEK BILATERAL MEETING WITH CAMBODIA EARLY NEXT WEEK REF: STATE 79164 (GUIDANCE FOR UNSC) Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle, reason 1.4 ( b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In several telephone conversations with us July 24, senior Thai Foreign Ministry officials expressed deep thanks for what they perceived as strong U.S. support July 23 in the UNSC for Thai efforts to keep attempts to resolve the Preah Vihear dispute with Cambodia in a bilateral track. They asked that the U.S. maintain this position, in particular resisting efforts to produce a Presidential statement (PRST) on the subject. The Thais also advised they have heard that Cambodia will try to push for a SC resolution and will not be content with a PRST. One senior official opined that France's "colonial" support for Cambodia's position would make it difficult for Thailand "to buy Airbus and French nuclear reactors in the future." ¶2. (C) Thai officials also told us that Prime Minister Samak was to call Hun Sen July 24 to suggest a bilateral meeting as soon as Cambodia emerges from this weekend's election, perhaps as soon as Monday. We do not yet have confirmation that this call took place. ¶3. (C) Comment: We see no need for a Security Council resolution or Presidential statement on this fundamentally bilateral issue and suggest that the guidance in Reftel remain in effect. Moreover, we should encourage both sides to meet again bilaterally as soon as possible. JOHN